Jury finds Houston man not guilty in fatal drug sting

Updated 11:39 pm, Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Alfredo Gomez was facing life in prison had he been convicted. (Chronicle photo)

Alfredo Gomez was facing life in prison had he been convicted. (Chronicle photo)

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Gomez is shown in court on Feb. 12. Prosecutors said he escaped the chaotic gunbattle that ended with the death of DEA informant Lawrence Chapa.

Gomez is shown in court on Feb. 12. Prosecutors said he escaped the chaotic gunbattle that ended with the death of DEA informant Lawrence Chapa.

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Gomez with his attorney Casey Keiman at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Feb. 12.

Gomez with his attorney Casey Keiman at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on Feb. 12.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle

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Prosecutors said Gomez escaped the gunbattle that ended with the death of a DEA informant.

Prosecutors said Gomez escaped the gunbattle that ended with the death of a DEA informant.

Photo: Harris County Sheriff Office

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Fernando Tavera is one of four people charged with capital murder for the 2011 death of Lawrence Chapa.

Fernando Tavera is one of four people charged with capital murder for the 2011 death of Lawrence Chapa.

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Eric DeLuna is one of four people charged with capital murder for the death of Lawrence Chapa, who was slain in 2011.

Eric DeLuna is one of four people charged with capital murder for the death of Lawrence Chapa, who was slain in 2011.

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Ricardo Ramirez is one of four people charged with capital murder for the 2011 death of Lawrence Chapa.

Ricardo Ramirez is one of four people charged with capital murder for the 2011 death of Lawrence Chapa.

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Officers from multiple agencies work at the scene of a shooting in which Drug Enforcement Administration informant Lawrence Chapa, who was posing as a truck driver to infiltrate the drug world, was shot to death at Hollister near Champions Walk Lane in 2011.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle ) less

Officers from multiple agencies work at the scene of a shooting in which Drug Enforcement Administration informant Lawrence Chapa, who was posing as a truck driver to infiltrate the drug world, was shot to ... more

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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A Harris County Sheriffs Deputy takes a man into custody at the scene.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

A Harris County Sheriffs Deputy takes a man into custody at the scene.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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A Harris County Sheriffs Deputy takes a man into custody at the scene of a shooting on Hollister near Bourgeois Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

A Harris County Sheriffs Deputy takes a man into custody at the scene of a shooting on Hollister near Bourgeois Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies work at the scene of the shooting.

Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies work at the scene of the shooting.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Officers from multiple agencies work at the scene.

Officers from multiple agencies work at the scene.

Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle

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Jury finds Houston man not guilty in fatal drug sting

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A Houston man charged in a deadly shootout with federal agents after a botched drug sting was found not guilty of capital murder late Wednesday.

"We said all along that Alfredo Gomez was not there, and the jury agreed that there were too many inconsistencies in the co-defendants' statements," defense attorney Dan Gerson said. "We said from the beginning that this was a frame-up."

After the verdict, prosecutors maintained their belief that Gomez was guilty.

"I obviously thought he was guilty, or I wouldn't have tried it," said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Shannon Davis. He said jurors did not trust the testimony of the other suspects, all of whom are facing life in prison on charges of capital murder.

Prosecutors had argued Gomez escaped the chaotic gunbattle that ended with the death of DEA informant Lawrence Chapa, but later was implicated by statements from the four men who were caught at the scene about 2 p.m. on Nov. 21, 2011.

Davis noted that no DNA, fingerprints or videotape linked Gomez to the bloody shootout.

"And with the two-year delay we had problems with witnesses' memories and there were concerns about retaliation," Davis said. "We knew it was going to be an uphill battle."

Chapa, 53, was driving a tractor-trailer loaded with marijuana from the border to the site of the sale, while being followed by Drug Enforcement Administration agents planning to arrest the buyers. The 18-wheeler was stopped in northwest Harris County by three sport utility vehicles full of Zetas cartel gunmen who opened fire, according to investigators.

Gerson said the four other men, who were caught at the scene, decided while they were in a holding cell together to implicate Gomez in an attempt to cut a deal. Gomez was arrested two weeks later and faced an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole if he had been convicted.

Testimony showed that Chapa died after being shot eight times by at least two different gunmen.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to murder on the eve of his trial in January. He also was charged with capital murder, but agreed to the deal because the lesser charge of murder means he will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

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